The Convair X-12 was the second, more advanced testbed for the Atlas rocket program. It was designed with 3 engines, its predecessor the Convair X-11 used only one engine. It was powered by a 1.5 stage liqued-fuel rocket. Its first flight was in July, 1958.

Service history

The X-12 pioneered the use of 1.5 stage rocket engines that became a hallmark of the Atlas rocket program. It was also the first rocket to achieve a flight distance that could be considered intercontinental when it flew 6,325 miles.

Five X-12 rockets were built and five flights were made out of Cape Canaveral, but no X-12s are believed to have survived.

Specifications (X-12)

General characteristics

• Crew: Unmanned
• Length: 103 ft 0 in (31.4 m)
• Wingspan: m ( ft)
• Diameter: 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)
• Wing area: m² ( ft²)
• Empty: kg ( lb)
• Loaded: kg ( lb)
• Powerplant: Engine type(s), kN (lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed:
• Range: km ( miles)
• Service ceiling: m ( ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight:

Related content

Related Development: Bell GAM-63

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: X-9 - X-10 - X-11 - X-12 - X-13 - X-14 - X-15

See also:

• List of experimental aircraft
• X-plane